I wrote down the 10 rules I used with Michael Phelps (I coached him...
Bob Bowman@coach_bowman
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Nov 03, 2026
~1 min read
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I wrote down the 10 rules I used with Michael Phelps (I coached him for 20 years).
5 of them work just as well if you never swim a lap in your life. 🧵
5 of them work just as well if you never swim a lap in your life. 🧵
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1. Set a "dream big" vision.
It's the emotional connection to this process that keeps you going.
Nobody wants to get out of bed and go to a cold pool at 5:00 in the morning to finish their 200 free in 1:54.
It's the emotional connection to this process that keeps you going.
Nobody wants to get out of bed and go to a cold pool at 5:00 in the morning to finish their 200 free in 1:54.
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2. Adopt an all-in attitude, not a get-out one.
All in means you're completely engaged in what you're doing and you're willing to make that commitment.
All in means you're completely engaged in what you're doing and you're willing to make that commitment.
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3. Short-term goals lead to long-term success.
It is a thousand small decisions made day after day after day, hour after hour, that get you there.
It's not just some burst of inspiration, although that helps at the right moment.
It is a thousand small decisions made day after day after day, hour after hour, that get you there.
It's not just some burst of inspiration, although that helps at the right moment.
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4. Adversity will make you stronger.
I think today people protect their kids from failure, and it's a huge mistake, because failure is where you learn the most. That's what makes you great.
I think today people protect their kids from failure, and it's a huge mistake, because failure is where you learn the most. That's what makes you great.
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5. Celebrate your achievement, then decide what's next.
I think you want to celebrate it enough that you sort of refill your gas tank.
And then you've got to move on. You've got to survive your success.
I think you want to celebrate it enough that you sort of refill your gas tank.
And then you've got to move on. You've got to survive your success.
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At the end of the day, whether you're going to go out and play some Mozart for somebody, or whether you're going to race something, or play a football game, or take a test, or go on a job interview, it's all the same process.
I hope you'll find your dream and get to work.
I hope you'll find your dream and get to work.
